Faded Spring

    Feel Good Christmas Gift Ideas That Make You Smile

    For the longest time, Christmas would fill her with dread. Memories of being abused as a child, seeping through her consciousness. The bruises, yellow-purple mottling, fading over time. The silvery scars blending into pockmarked skin. Poisonous shadows throttling her, lacerated throat. She would tremble, a raised hand, a venomous voice. Stripping away her confidence, her self-esteem no more. Wondering if this was what life would be forever. Hiding in the darkness, afraid of what would happen next. Words like weapons, sharp and cold. Her spirit sold to the highest bidder. The woman who robbed her of her childhood innocence. Forced to grow up, tiny feet in too-big shoes. Learning to bury ... read more

    Meaningful Charity Christmas Gift Ideas

    The true meaning of Christmas was spelt out in frosted windowpanes. Give back to others, let compassion feed your soul. Don't get caught in the rush of shopping, wrapping and exchanging gifts. Forgo the endless sales, and wishlists that dominate your thoughts. Focus on brightening someone else's day. How you can make them laugh. Smiles so wide, eyes lit up with happiness. Happy tears freely flowing, whoops of Christmas cheer. Love, genorosity and community at the heart of Christmas. A time to priortize meaningful connections and express gratitude from a young age. Even as a child, she loved giving back to others. Remembering what little she had, she would share with friends. Birthday money ... read more

    Ping Pong Dim Sum: Healthy Vegetarian Food

    The air was thick, the water rocking. Mist curling over silent boats floating. On a grey day by St. Katherine's Dock, muted colours, soft and still. The cusp between autumn and winter, hanging in balance. Hands in green coat pockets, a pop of colour. A beret placed nochalantly on wild curls, reddened cheeks. The wind, howling like rabid banshees, the cold burrowing into numb fingers. But it did not matter. The promise of a better end to the day, lying in wait. Opposite the docks, where the boats bob forlonly. Behind the fog that swallowed her whole.  She reached into the charcoal smudges of gray, and stepped into the light. Ping Pong Dim Sum, emblazoned in faux flowers. Warm sepia lights ... read more

    Autumn Date Ideas In Canada That Are Cozy

    They watch Autumn's breath paint the maple trees. In fiery hues of crimson and gold, the sun dipping low, the air turning crisp. Gloves slipped over number fingers, cheeks rosy. Hair strewn with tempesteous winds, a lover's kiss. Wrapped in patchwork scarfs, traipsing down their bodies. They hoot with laughter, sitting on an unconspicious park bench. The leaves swirling around their ankles, in a rhythmic trance. For they were in Canada, the world painted around them so bright. Purple-orange creeping into flaming sunsets, the moon biding its time. Watching late afternoon gulp into evening, lost in the moment. Swapping the unique autumn staycation in the UK for something further afield. It ... read more

    The Best Mobility Aids For Seniors At Home 

    As we age, everyday tasks that once seemed simple can become increasingly challenging. For many elderly individuals, mobility issues can make moving around the home, bathing, or even navigating stairs daunting and dangerous. As someone who worked as a carer for the elderly, I have seen first hand the implications of having an inaccessible home. From patients slipping in the bath, to falling down the stairs, when a nurse isn't home, major incidents can occur. Even cooking a meal can have consequences, with a higher risk of burns from hot stovetops, ovens, or boiling liquids. As a carer, I looked after patients in their homes, rather than in a nursing home. Patients said that they preferred to ... read more

    How To Design Your Dream Bedroom With AI

    She pressed herself against her window, watching the pigeons walk along the roof. A flash of muted gray, tinged with turquoise. Her tabby cat perched on her hind legs, batting at the birds. A sharp meow, a cat in a tantrum. Watching the birds evade her once more. The skies darkened into a stormy gray, spillingf rain, like tears unshared. The cloud's secrets drenching the streets. The scent of damp, her nose wrinkling. She sighed, wondering if summer would ever come. Desperate snatches of rare sunny days, the world engulfed in honeyed hues. But alas, it was yet another rainy day. Collapsing into her flower-strewn Bed. The light dim, shadows creeping up the creamy walls. She would take ... read more

    7 Dystopian Books Everyone Should Read

    The voices in her head were back again. The ones that told her she wasn't good enough. Shredding her self-worth into a million tiny pieces. Where shadows danced gleefully, denying her hope. Through rifts of time, struggling to find her way. Anxiety gouged out her eyes again, leaving her blind, senseless. Pummeling through metaphorical tunnels, the walls caving in. She couldn't breathe, another panic attack looming. The voices in her head getting stronger. Blah, blah, blah, buzzing in her ear. Muscles frozen, paralyzed in fear. The monsters in the dark feasting on her flesh. She cried out in agony, slipping into the lethargic arms of depression. Like a fat cat, sitting on her chest. ... read more

    The Power Of Self-Care At The Glasshouse Retreat

    Breathe in, breathe out. Fighting against the cloying air that had her in a chokehold. Resisting the rising panic that pricked her skin. She imagined anxiety as a million crawling spiders. Weaving its web, a tangled web of chaos. Her, stuck, with no way out. In a castle built of silk, drowning in its masterful thread. Her legs, once flaying, paralyzed in fear. For anxiety would eat at her mind, body and soul. Ferocious bites that drained her positivity. Looking down at her, with its hairy body from the top shelf. Her eyes were lined with fatigue. Rough lines crinkling with exhaustion. She looked like one of those charcoal sketches. Fragmented, deconstructed squiggles. All over the place. She ... read more

    Best Anti-Snoring Hacks For A Better Night’s Sleep

    3AM. The witching hour, hands sweaty, heart racing. Her mind in overdrive, as she woke from yet another nightmare. Trying to dull the pain that squeezed her mind and soul. The tension in her back, she felt the walls closing in. Then came the noises. Where headlights piercedthe darkness of night. Like fireflies dancing in an endless sweep. The loud thrum of car engines spluttering down the high street. The raucous laughter of friends. The squeal of a fox who was demolishing the rubbish. But there was one sound that stood out above them all. Snoring. Watching him sleep, seeing the rise and fall of his chest. Knowing what would come next. At first, a gentle rumble escaping his lips. Softly at ... read more

    Best Vegan Food And Drink Alternatives In 2024

    In the 'garden of empathy', the world was a better place. Cows grazing beneath the willow trees. Cloaked in black and white splotches, her eyes reflecting the sun's soft light. Wild pigs with glistening ebon coats. Tussocks of grass their chosen nest, as they treaded the forest floors. Chickens squawking, flapping their wings. Released from the cruel cages that threatened to break them in. Though A wasn't preachy, she was passionate about the welfare of animals. About treating all living beings with kindness and compassion.  Celebrating all creatures big and small. It sounded cheesy, but A knew that she was always destined to be an animal rights advocate. Proudly cruelty-free, giving up meat ... read more